The new year is now upon us and I have heard a lot of talk from friends about their resolutions.

I usually don’t pay much attention to other people’s resolutions because they are usually cast aside pretty quickly. Having said this, there is one that resonated with me.

One of my friends explained how she experiences stomach cramps, bloating constipation and discomfort as well as terrible mood swings, symptoms I’m sure we have all experienced from time to time.

“So what do you intend to do about them?” I asked tentatively.

She went on to tell me how making small manageable changes to her diet had already helped combat these symptoms, making her feel better.

Not only did this resolution seem simple and manageable, it's also worthwhile. My friend seemed much happier than I had seen her in a long time. And after a bit of research, I found out that keeping you gut healthy and happy is not only good for general wellbeing, but it can also help to prevent many serious illnesses later in life.

So what are the small changes that we can make to keep our digestive systems happy?

Eat more vegies

Vegetables provide our bodies with the nutrients they need to maintain general health. They also provide fibre to keep the gut healthy, and help our body's systems run more efficiently.

Get more fibre

Fibre is what helps keep us regular, but be careful here, processed breakfast cereals and complex carbohydrates, although often high in fibre, aren’t great for your gut. Try switching pasta for rice or quinoa, and replacing your breakfast cereal with fresh fruit or buckwheat flakes.

Probiotics

When prebiotic foods are digested, they provide food for the healthy bacteria that are found in our gut. Foods that are high in probiotics include natural yogurt, as well as a wide range of fermented food and drinks (sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha, kefir etc). Try switching fizzy drinks for kombucha, a fizzy fermented tea (trust me it’s a lot tastier than it sounds.)

Change your cooking oil

Rather than cooking with heavy vegetable or olive oil, try something lighter, like coconut or avocado oil.

Stay hydrated

Try to have at least 2-3 litres of water a day.

Reduce your fast food intake

You don’t have to cut out fast food altogether to feel healthy, but try to limit your intake as much as possible. Your gut will thank you for it.

Bone broth recipes

Bone broth is rich in minerals that support the immune system and contain healing compounds like collagen, glutamine, glycine and proline. The collagen in bone broth heals your gut lining, reducing intestinal inflammation. Try looking for new recipes for your favourite meals that contain bone broth as an ingredient. There are thousands out there.

Apple cider vinegar

To reduce gas, dilute a tablespoon of enzyme-rich apple cider vinegar with a cup of water or tea, and drink before a meal. This will also combat constipation, since the vinegar stimulates digestive juices that help your body break down food. (I am assured that this gets less disgusting after a few days and has a noticeable effect in a very short time)

Remember that these are only suggestions, and trying to do everything at once can be overwhelming.

Try making small changes and replacing unhealthy choices where possible and you will be feeling great in no time. If you want to jump start your digestive health, why not try The Ultimate Gut Health Pack from YsEpicure. It has some great products for maintaining a healthy digestive system, and some delicious, gut-friendly alternatives for you to try.

So good luck and good health to you all. I would love to hear your thoughts on this topic so please feel free to comment below.